{{productName}}

This all-encompassing tour of India takes in the highlights of north and south - revealing some of the country's wonderful secrets. Revel in the tropical climate, warm waters and lush green landscapes of the south in places like Kochi, Puducherry and Madurai. Then be dazzled by the kaleidoscopic colours, the Mughal grandeur and the spiritual mysteries of the north in Jaipur and Agra. Travel from Kochi to Delhi and combine the slower delights of Kerala and Tamil Nadu with the rush and jumble of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on this incredible adventure.

Why you'll love this trip

Known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, Kochi is a fascinating blend of Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and English influences, and is best explored by ferry

Step back in time among the iridescent hills of the very British ‘Snooty Ooty’ - home of snooker and the charming Nilgiri toy train

Spot tigers, elephants, sloths and birds on safari around two of the best places in India to observe wildlife up close - Mudumalai National Park and Periyar

Feel energy radiate from the world’s largest solid crystal in the experimental city of Auroville

Experience a unique way of life with a family homestay in the idyllic backwaters of Kerala

Keep your adrenaline charged with a tiger spotting adventure among the lakes and crags of Ranthambhore National Park

Ride camels through the desert in Pushkar, gaining insight into the life of rural Rajasthan

Ballooning over Jaipur while the sun rises is an unforgettable experience

The hills and shimmering lakes of Udaipur make it India’s capital of romance

A trip to India wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Taj Mahal – a masterpiece of Indian architecture

Enjoy a variety of accommodation - from a fortified mansion to camping under the stars

Is this trip right for you?

From April 2017, the main dome of the Taj Mahal will undergo mud pack therapy to restore its original colour. It is expected the dome will be covered in iron scaffolding during the process which is expected to last a year.

This trip involves some long stints of travel, which can be tiresome but offer a quintessential Indian experience.

Sleeper trains are clean and air-conditioned, and a great way to travel long distances while still getting maximum time in each place. Beds are padded berths with sheets, pillow and blanket provided (although some people prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet). Please note that you may be sharing with locals of the same or opposite gender.

The hill station of Ooty can be cold at night, especially in winter, so come prepared with warm clothing. You’ll also need warm and waterproof clothing for your visits to Mudumalai and Periyar National Parks.

We visit a number of temples on this trip, which requires a certain level of modesty. Please bring clothes that cover the arms and pants/skirts that go past the knees. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot.

It’s important to prepare for hot sticky temperatures during the day and cooler climates in the evening, particularly in the desert. Layers are the one of the best ways to tackle this disparity in weather.

Long distance and overnight trains can often be delayed and occasionally cancelled due to heavy fog between Dec-Feb. Please see the transport section of the essential trip information.

Your Southern Indian adventure starts today in Kochi. Attend a welcome meeting at 6 pm with the travel group. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place. We'll be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you bring these details to provide to your leader. If you're going to be late, please inform hotel reception. If you arrive into Kochi early, there are plenty of things to see and do. Once an important spice-trading centre, Kochi has been under Portuguese, Dutch and British rule at various times throughout history. Explore with one of our Urban Adventures, or wander down to the shore and seek out the huge Chinese fishing nets dotted along the coast of Fort Cochin.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

This morning, explore Kochi on an orientation tour. Board a local ferry to Mattancherry and drop by the Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century before it was renovated and presented to the Rajas of Cochin by the Dutch. Pay an optional visit to Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth and home to many rare antiques. Then amble around the spice bazaars and antique stores of Fort Cochin. In the evening, experience a Kathakali performance. This Keralan dance is an ornately costumed display of storytelling, requiring complete control of the body.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Kochi - Fort Kochi walk

Kochi - Dutch Palace

Kochi - Kathakali performance

Optional Activities

Kochi - Jewish Synagogue - INR5

Meals Included

Most of today is spent travelling. Catch a three-and-a-half hour train to Coimbatore, before travelling by private vehicle to Ootacamund (approximately four hours). Often referred to as ‘Snooty Ooty’, it was here that the game of snooker was named and possibly invented. Stretch your legs exploring the town’s Hindu temples or stroll through what almost feels like English countryside. Ooty is pleasantly mild in the summer but can get cold in winter, so make sure you come prepared with adequate clothing. We stay in nearby Conoor, where dinner is included at our accommodation tonight.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

Today board Ooty’s famous toy train for a ride along the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. Be sure to get a window seat for great views. In nearby Conoor, visit a tea plantation to learn about the history of tea production. Spend the rest of the day exploring Ooty’s Botanical Gardens, which are home to over 650 species of plants and trees. Alternatively, embrace your romantic side with a boat ride on the lake.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Ooty - Nilgiri Mountain Railway & Tea Plantation visit

Optional Activities

Ooty - Botanical Gardens - INR50

Ooty - Boat ride - INR200

Meals Included

Take a private vehicle for the short drive to Masinagudi today. Set against the backdrop of the Nilgiri mountains, Mudumalai National Park was once the Mysore Maharaja's private hunting ground. In 1974 it was brought under Project Tiger and is now one of the best game sanctuaries in India to observe wildlife in close proximity. Embark on a short safari in search of tigers, leopards, elephants, sloth bears, sambars, spotted deer and much more. There's also an amazing variety of birdlife in the park. Tonight’s family-run accommodation in Masinagudi is mixed gender dormitory style with a common bathroom. This dorm room is only open to our groups.

Accommodation

Jungle Lodge (1 night)

Included Activities

Mudumalai National Park - Wildlife Safari

Meals Included

Travel by private vehicle across the scenic Karnataka plains to Mysore, stopping to share a biryani lunch with our local friend Raju and his family. Mysore is an easy-going town with a pleasant climate, perfect for wandering around on foot. Your leader will provide an orientation tour for you to get your bearings. A visit to Mysore is incomplete without a look around Mysore Palace. One of the most ornate palaces in India, its interior is full of colour, mosaics and mirrors.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Mysore - Home cooked lunch & family visit

Mysore - Maharaja's Palace

Mysore - City walk

Meals Included

This morning head out of Mysore and climb Chamundi Hill to the Sri Chamundeswari Temple, dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Durga. Continue on to the Keshava Temple in the small town of Somnathpur, an excellent example of Hoysala architecture. You’ll also have some time to pay an optional visit to Tipu Sultan’s mausoleum in Srirangapatna, or to return to Mysore for a palm reading or to catch a film at the local cinema. Tonight take an eleven-hour overnight sleeper train to Chennai.

Accommodation

Overnight Sleeper Train (1 night)

Included Activities

Mysore - Keshava Temple

Mysore - Chamundi Hill & Temple

Optional Activities

Mysore - Cinema - INR100

Mysore - Tipu Sultan's Mausoleum - INR500

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

You’ll be visiting a few temples today, so please ensure that you’re dressed appropriately with legs and shoulders covered.

Sleeper trains are clean and air-conditioned, and beds are padded berths with sheets, pillow and blanket provided (although some people prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet). Please also note that on the sleeper train you may be sharing with locals of the same or opposite gender.

After arriving in Chennai, take a private vehicle along the scenic East Coast Road to Mamallapuram. Explore this ancient seaport town by bicycle, paying a visit to the 7th-century Shore Temple and the enormous bas-relief rock carving known as Arjuna's Penance. There will also be time to inspect the town’s numerous mandapams (pillared temple pavilions), watch stonemasons at work or to relax at a beachside restaurant.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Mamallapuram - Cycling tour

Mamallapuram - Shore Temple

Meals Included

Travel by private vehicle for five hours through palm trees and rice paddies to Puducherry (or Pondicherry), with a stopover at Auroville. Comprised of 80 rural settlements and home to over 1,500 residents, more than half of who are foreign nationals, the living project of Auroville is dedicated to unity and also houses the world's largest solid crystal. On arrival in Puducherry, join a group walking tour to see local temples, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the French Quarter. Once a French colony, you’ll see evidence of French influence in Puducherry's architecture, its wide town squares and even in the uniforms of the police.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Auroville - Experimental township

Puducherry - Walking tour & Sri Aurobindo Ashram

Meals Included

Take a taxi to the railway station at Villapuram and board a train to the temple city of Madurai (approximately six hours). Madurai’s Tamil roots stretch back 2,500 years, making it one of the oldest cities in India. Wander the lamp-lit labyrinth of the Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to the Lord Shiva and goddess Meenakshi. Visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum, which displays a detailed account of India’s struggle for independence along with the bloodstained dhoti the famous leader wore when he was assassinated.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Madurai - Sri Meenakshi Temple

Optional Activities

Madurai - Gandhi Museum - Free

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

Make sure that your shoulders and legs are covered when visiting the temple and please respect the no camera rule.

This morning, travel by public bus along a winding road to the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. High in the ranges of the Western Ghats, the park is set among stunning scenery and is the most popular wildlife sanctuary in Southern India. In the evening, enjoy a tour of a local spice plantation.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Periyar - Spice plantation visit

Meals Included

Venture back into the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary today for a guided nature walk (you’ll be provided with leech-proof socks). Be on the lookout for bison, wild boar, elephants, spotted deer and tigers. For something extra, opt for a boat tour on the lake, which was artificially formed by the building of a dam in 1895. Now a vital water source for local wildlife, you may see elephants bathing playfully in the shallows if you’re lucky.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Periyar - National Park

Periyar - Guided nature walk

Optional Activities

Periyar - Boat trip - INR650

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

The nature walk usually is the Green Zone walk in the National Park.
Tigers are extremely rare and shy in Periyar. It is however a lovely walk, the local guides are villagers who have lived in the area for generations and are very knowledegable of the areas flora and fauna. Bring water, we start early but it gets very hot and humid later in the morning

Travelling by private vehicle, pass through rubber, tea and coffee plantations on the way to the backwaters of Kerala. Board a boat to cross to the island village where you’ll stay with a local family tonight. In the late afternoon, explore the island with a local English-speaking guide or your homestay host. This is great chance to meet locals and learn more about their unique way of life. Take a leisurely punt boat ride around the waterways and enjoy the scenery. In the evening, share stories and a traditional home-cooked Keralan meal with your host family.

Accommodation

Homestay (1 night)

Included Activities

Kerala Backwaters - Pole boat ride

Kerala Backwaters - Village walk

Meals Included

Lunch

Dinner

Special Information

In Kerala a homestay is similar to a local guesthouse where the family usually live on site. Accommodation is twin share, with private bathroom. Meals are cooked in house and are usually locally and delicious.

Accommodation

Meals Included

Fly from Kochi to Delhi today for the second part of your India journey. Meet your new group and tour leader at a welcome meeting at 6pm tonight.

Meals Included

Breakfast

Special Information

The internal flight from Kochi to Delhi is NOT included. If you flight does not allow you to make the joining meeting at 6 pm (to meet the new part of your tour) please let your leader on the southern section of the trip know. Your leader in the north will be able to give you an update in the morning.

In the morning, navigate the city’s metro system to discover Old Delhi on a walking tour. Hitch a ride in a traditional cycle rickshaw through a typical Indian traffic jam in the streets around Chandni Chowk marketplace. Visit Delhi’s oldest mosque of Jama Masjid, which is also India’s largest. Escape from the frenetic pace of the city streets by ducking into a Sikh temple to observe a more spiritual side of this bustling metropolis.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Delhi - Old Delhi walking tour

Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)

Delhi - Jama Masjid

Meals Included

Travel to Agra by one of India's express air-conditioned trains (approx 3 hours/230km). Steeped in Mughal heritage, Agra has a wealth of gardens, temples and open rooftops. Visit the Taj Mahal and learn why Emperor Shah Jahan built it as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz. Buzz around Agra in a motorised rickshaw and explore inside the spectacular sandstone walls of the Red Fort, built to encompass the imperial city of the Mughal rulers in the 16th century. If you have time, move on to Akbar's Mausoleum to honour the great emperor.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Agra - Taj Mahal

Agra - Agra Fort

Agra - Red Fort guided tour

Optional Activities

Agra - Additional entries to Taj Mahal - INR1000

Meals Included

Take a local bus to Bassi, a small town in the middle of rural Rajasthan (approx 4 hours/210km). Travel by private transport to your accommodation for the night (approx 45 min/20km) in Madhogarh. On a walk through the village, see craftspeople at work and meet the locals. In the evening, stay in the beautiful heritage property of Fort Madhogarh, which has belonged to one of Rahasthan’s royal families for centuries. Dinner is included here tonight.

Accommodation

Heritage Property (1 night)

Included Activities

Madhogarh - Village walk

Meals Included

Travel on by private vehicle to Jaipur (approx 90min/50km). On arrival, take a walk around the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur. Get among the crowds of the city’s bazaars to shop for artisan goods and semi-precious stones. Set on a hilltop overlooking Maota Lake, visit the Amber Fort, an excellent example of Rajput architecture. The Sheesh Mahal inside the fort is a must-see. As the walls are completely covered in little mirrors, the hall illuminates with the light of a single match.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Jaipur - Amber Fort

Jaipur - Walking tour

Meals Included

This morning, take an optional hot air balloon ride. Floating across the skyline of Jaipur in a hot air balloon can be a highlight of the trip. Travel by rickshaw to Hawa Mahal, also known as the 'Palace of the Winds’. Alternatively, head to Jaipur's Royal City Palace or the observatory of Jantar Mantar to see a collection of astronomical instruments. After a long day of exploration, perhaps head to the Raj Mandir Cinema to experience the glamour of a Bollywood film.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Optional Activities

Jaipur - City Palace - INR500

Jaipur - Jantar Mantar Observatory - INR200

Jaipur - Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema - INR400

Jaipur - Balloon Safari - USD260

Meals Included

Continuing by private vehicle, head to Ranthambhore (approximately 5 hours/200km). Ranthambhore National Park was once a famous hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur, and was one of the original Project Tiger reserves. Explore the ruins of the park’s 10th-century fort, and in the evening take a 4WD safari in search of tigers and other wildlife.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Ranthambore National Park - Evening safari

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

he safety of our travellers is our highest concern and your tour leader has the authority to cancel or reschedule the jeep safari if they believe the vehicles available do not meet our safety standards.

Ranthambhore National Park is closed between 1 July and 30 September each year. On those trips affected, we'll visit nearby Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary. Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary is located approx. 16km from Ranthambhore and is due to its hilly terrain isn't as affected by the monsoon. Tigers inhabit this area also and spottings are more favorable at this time of year as they move away from flooded areas of Ranthambhore

Travel to Bundi by private vehicle (approx 4 hours/150km). Navigate Bundi's narrow streets on a walking tour. Wander through the downtown market and engage with the locals. Visit intricately carved baoris (step wells) and explore the 16th-century Bundi Palace (be sure to check out its famous murals). Another heritage stay awaits us tonight.

Accommodation

Heritage Property (1 night)

Included Activities

Bundi - Stepwell

Bundi - Palace

Bundi local guide

Meals Included

Cross the Chittorgarh countryside to Paangarh Lake, spending the night sleeping in a permanent tent camp. On arrival, unwind with a cup of chai while watching the sunset over the lake and serene Vindhya Range. Enjoy a view out to the 15th-century Pangarh Fort, perched atop a hill to the north side of the lake.

Accommodation

Permanent Tent (1 night)

Meals Included

Return to Bundi and take a slow train journey with local villagers (approximately three hours) to Bassi (same name as a previous destination, different place!) followed by a drive in an open-top jeep out into the countryside to visit pastoral villages. As the area is teeming with wildlife, your guide should be able to point out some native animals. While in the villages, perhaps get a temporary souvenir in the form of a henna tattoo. Enjoy a group meal of local Bassi cuisine in the evening, and relax in our heritage stay for the night.

Accommodation

Heritage Property (1 night)

Included Activities

Bijaipur- Village tour

Optional Activities

Bijaipur - Henna painting - INR150

Meals Included

Our next journey by private vehicle takes us to Udaipur (approximately 4 hours/180km). Take a walk to soak up the city’s hills, lakes and white marble palaces, or delve into its twisting alleys and bazaars filled with silver, leather goods and miniature paintings. A popular centre for artists, dancers and musicians, there’s plenty to entertain you here.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Udaipur - City walk

Meals Included

Visit Udaipur's City Palace, one of the largest royal palaces in India. Enjoy an optional boat ride on the famous Lake Pichola (seasonal) and marvel at the island palaces off Jag Nivas and Jag Mandir. In the evening, perhaps enjoy a traditional concert that combines seven traditional Rajasthani folk dances.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Udaipur - City Palace

Optional Activities

Udaipur - Cultural performance - INR120

Udaipur - Lake boat ride - INR400

Meals Included

Take a six-hour air-conditioned train to Ajmer and then a private vehicle to your hotel in Pushkar. Enjoy a walking tour to visit the bustling ghats and temples around Pushkar Lake, and watch as the devout worship by the holy water. A highlight of the visit to Pushkar is a camel ride out into the surrounding desert area.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Pushkar - Walking tour

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

For those who don't wish to ride a camel, there’s an option to travel by camel cart.

Early risers can hike up to the Savitri Temple for amazing sunrise views over the town this morning. There might even be a steaming glass of chai waiting for you at the top if the chai man is there. You’ll have free time to enjoy the rest of the morning in Pushkar. The Shatabdi Express train departs Ajmer around 2 pm for the trip back to Delhi, arriving at around 10:40 pm.

Jump to a departure month

Related Trips

Important notes

1. A single supplement is available for this trip and is applicable for all nights on tour with the exception of nights 5 in Mudumalai National Park and the overnight train on night 7.
2. Intrepid requires a copy of your scanned passport bio page at time of booking to complete bookings for Ranthambhore National Park visit.
3. This trip travels back to Delhi on the afternoon of Day 28 arriving into the capital around 11pm. Please do not book departure flights out until at least 4am on Day 29 to allow for delays.
4. The Pushkar Camel Fair is held in late Oct early November, please see the climate and seasonal information in these Trip Notes
5. Hot air balloon flights are operated by Sky Waltz in Jaipur. Flights operate mornings from September to June and morning and evening from September to March. Morning flights depart around sunrise and evening flights late afternoon and last 60 mins. Return transfers, tea and coffee plus light refreshments and a certificate of flight are included in the cost. You can register your interest and pay your tour leader at your joining meeting on day 1 of your trip. Payment must be made by cash in either INR/AUD/USD/GBP only and is USD$250pp (subject to change) Flights are subject to weather conditions and availability. Tickets are fully refundable in case of poor weather.
6. E-visas are only available for entry of up to 60 days.
7. As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group may change on Day 15.
8. The internal flight and transfers from Kochi to Delhi are NOT included. Please see details on day 15 of the trip. There are many direct or transit flights between COK-DEL daily.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.